ROCKFORD — There were no turkey-induced comas Thursday at the Rockford Fire Department’s Station 2.

Prime rib was the fare. It was served at 11:30 a.m.

As the thankful gathered around tables all around the city to gorge themselves on turkey, eight men hired to protect them on Thanksgiving went for the beef.

It was driver Jeff Poshka’s call.

“We had a little extra money in our kitty so we thought we’d treat ourselves,” said Poshka, who doesn’t consider himself a prime rib specialist, even though he makes it each spring for more than 200 people during an annual firefighter’s union dinner.

It was a quiet morning, good for cooking, at Station 2, 1004 7th St. The crew’s 24-hour shift began at 8 a.m. About a half-hour later, Poshka put the 15-pound cut of beef — dressed in black pepper and salts — into the station’s oven.

Three hours later it emerged and was done, crusty on the outside and rare in the center.

Firefighters pay for their own food. At Station 2, they each pitch in $10 for meals on days they work. Poshka said chicken and pasta tend to be staples. Often they’ll spend less than $80 on food during a shift. That money accrues, allowing the firehouse to splurge once and awhile on special meals.

The crew also had salad with hard boiled eggs, corn, green beans, twice-baked potatoes and dessert.

And there were leftovers, which meant sandwiches for dinner.

But some of Station 2’s Thanksgiving crew will not have a turkey deficient weekend.

“They’re going to wait until tomorrow,” said Lt. Dave Nordenberg of his family’s holiday meal.